Topic Sentences

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What is a topic sentence?

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A topic sentence is the main idea of a paragraph, usually found at the beginning, that tells the reader what the paragraph will be about.

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Where is the topic sentence usually located in a paragraph?

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The topic sentence is usually located at the first sentence of a paragraph.

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What is a List Statement topic sentence?

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A List Statement topic sentence introduces a list of items or ideas that will be discussed in the paragraph.

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What is a Power Number topic sentence?

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A Power Number topic sentence indicates that there will be a specific number of items or ideas discussed in the paragraph.

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What is an Occasion/Position topic sentence?

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An Occasion/Position topic sentence expresses a personal opinion or a specific situation regarding the topic.

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What makes a strong topic sentence?

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A strong topic sentence clearly states the main idea and is specific enough to guide the content of the paragraph.

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Can a topic sentence be a question?

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No, a topic sentence should be a statement that clearly presents the main idea, not a question.

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What is an example of a weak topic sentence?

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"There are many things to say about cookies." This is weak because it is vague and does not specify what will be discussed.

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What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

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The purpose of a topic sentence is to inform the reader about the main idea of the paragraph and to set the direction for the supporting details.

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How can you identify a topic sentence in a paragraph?

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You can identify a topic sentence by looking for the first sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.